Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons adjudicating on an application for asylum or refugee status; if a record has been kept of the number of negative or positive decisions given by each; if such adjudicator has never or rarely given a positive decision in respect of an applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15898/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, that 66 civil servants are at present adjudicating directly on asylum casework in that organisation. Other staff in ORAC also provide support functions in the asylum area including dealing with cases under the EU Dublin regulation determining the member state responsible for processing asylum applications, family reunification functions, information technology support, reception duties in the applications centre and presentation work before the refugee appeals tribunal. I am also advised that ORAC does not retain the more detailed information requested by the Deputy on recommendations issued by that office. Insofar as the refugee appeals tribunal, RAT, is concerned, there are 33 members dealing with appeals arising from negative recommendations of ORAC. These members are appointed on a part-time basis under the Refugee Act 1996, as amended.

On the additional information requested by the Deputy regarding individual members of RAT, I am advised by the chairperson of the refugee appeals tribunal that as his organisation is a statutory body, independent in the performance of its functions under the provisions of sections 15 and 16 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, it would be inappropriate for him to provide the requested information.